Bobby Osborne is one of bluegrass music’s true innovators. His trailblazing work with The Osborne Brothers, who charted 13 Billboard Country top 100 hits in the 1960s and 70s, took the sounds of the banjo, mandolin and Bobby’s one of a kind tenor voice to a mainstream radio audience – one of only a handful of acts in the history of bluegrass ever to have achieved cross over success.

Blurring the boundaries between bluegrass and country music, The Osborne Brothers were the connective tissue between the first generation creators of bluegrass and the subsequent generation of newgrass musicians who, in turn, paved the way for the diversity and innovation that characterise contemporary bluegrass. Now, nearly 60 years into his career, Bobby Osborne has delivered “Original”. It is the defining album of his solo career and cements his legacy as one of the genre’s most important artists. At 85 years old, when he could be resting on his many laurels, Bobby is still driven by a desire to push the musical envelope. Producer/banjoist Compass co-founder Alison Brown recognised a kindred spirit in Bobby while working with him in the studio on Peter Rowan’s album, The Old School. During one of the sessions Bobby mentioned that he wasn’t sure he’d have the chance to make another solo album. It was clear to Alison that Bobby still had something important to say musically and that realisation became the genesis for the album.

The Osborne Brothers didn’t want to sound like nobody else. And that’s the way I want to be on this CD, too – Bobby Osborne.

The album’s producer, Alison Brown, put together a cast of bluegrass music’s finest players and singers for the project, all of whom were all excited and honoured to be recording with a living legend. The album’s 10 tracks feature interesting and unexpected musical pairings. Relative newcomers Sierra Hull and Trey Hensley team up with veterans Stuart Duncan, Todd Phillips and Claire Lynch on grass’d up versions of Paint Your Wagon’s “They Call The Wind Maria” and the Bee Gees’ “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You.” The previously unrecorded Darrell Scott song “Kentucky Morning,” featuring Rob Ickes and the Eastern Kentucky power trio with Dale Ann Bradley and Darrell Scott gives a nod to Bobby’s family history while a cover of “Make the World Go Away” with harmony vocals and mandolin from Vince Gill and the lush strings of Buddy Spicher and Matt Combs evoke Music Row circa 1962.

Bobby’s touring band The Rocky Top X-Press, featuring sons Wynn, Robby and Bobby Osborne Jr., deliver an updated version of the Osborne Brothers’ classic “Pathway of Teardrops” while Del, Ronnie and Robbie McCoury, together with Josh Williams, Bryan McDowell and Missy Raines, collaborate on a version of the obscure Mel Tillis song “Goodbye Wheeling.” Additional guests on the album include Sam Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Michael Cleveland, Molly Tuttle, Jim Hurst, David Mayfield and Kenny Malone.

The album is available at the Grand Ole Opry store and is available for pre-order from Compass, iTunes, and Amazon. It will be in general release in stores and online on June 2nd.

Track Listing:

1 They Call the Wind Maria
2 Goodbye Wheeling
3 Kentucky Morning

4 I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You
5 Make the World Go Away
6 Just in Case
7 Don’t Be Cruel

Bluegrass pioneer Bobby Osborne announced via Facebook that he is launching a crowd funding campaign with PledgeMusic this month to record a new album. At the age of 84, Bobby is one of very few of his generation to embrace a crowd funding format,.

It reminds me of the fan clubs we used to have when we started. Fans are why we make the music, and I’ve always tried to interact with fans and listeners whenever I can – Bobby Osborne.

In Bobby’s case, this approach will allow an impassioned collaboration of fans, students, the Compass Records label and the Freshgrass Foundation to support this historic recording. The album will be produced by Alison Brown (Grammy winning composer/instrumentalist, 2015 IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award winner, and co-founder of Compass Records) and recorded at Compass Sound Studios in Nashville, TN. Pledges to the campaign will be matched by a grant from the Freshgrass Foundation.

Bobby carries on the bluegrass legacy, his one-of-a-kind, high lonesome tenor vocals as strong as ever, and plays the tradition forward in his role on the faculty at the Kentucky School of Bluegrass and Traditional Music in his home town of Hyden, Kentucky. Former student Lindsey Branson, had this to say about having the opportunity to study with the bluegrass master:

It has meant the world to me getting to learn from Bobby Osborne. I was really nervous and scared the first time I had class with him but, after that day, I looked forward to each one. Bobby has taught me a lot… not only musically but he’s taught me about life. He’s become a big inspiration for me and has made me strive to become a better mandolin player. I could never thank him enough for everything he’s done for me this past year – Former student Lindsey Branson.

Bobby’s students’ passion for mandolin playing and bluegrass have made a huge impression on him too. His students continue to inspire him with their support and encouragement for this recording. Bobby aims to make this project the best record of his career.

As a foundation, we want to help with the creative process and galvanise the fan base that appreciates the music as much as we do. Crowdfunding is the best model for doing that. It also allows the artist to make the fan part of the creative process and cultivates a healthy economy around it which is needed for this genre – Chris Wadsworth, The Freshgrass Foundation.

I am thrilled that Bobby has embraced the Pledge platform like so many other artists who recognise its reach and effectiveness. To have a legend like Bobby embrace both the technology and the concept of crowdfunding is exciting for us and we hope that it draws even more of his existing supporters into the digital realm while exposing his music and legacy to a whole new group of fans – Benji Rogers the Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of PledgeMusic.

One of the things that the bluegrass community does really well is to honor its elders. Bobby Osborne played a pivotal role in shaping the genre in its early days both through the classic songs he brought to the music like “Rocky Top” as well as through the spirit of creativity and innovation that characterized the Osborne Brothers’ sound. Although he’s in his 7th decade as a recording artist, Bobby still has a lot to say musically. I’m delighted to be a part of an effort that will expand his recorded catalog and bring some new Bobby Osborne music to his fans – Producer Alison Brown.

PledgeMusic has become the premier crowdfunding platform for the music industry, used by established and emerging artists alike, to facilitate the recording process and offer fans unprecedented access to the artist, his process, and limited edition memorabilia in exchange for their support.

Bobby’s Osborne’s PledgeMusic Campaign will run for 60 days. Recording will begin late summer and release date is slated for early 2017 on Compass Records.

Rural Rhythm Records is celebratring the many awards their artists have won at the recent International Bluegrass Music Association Awards. Darrel Adkins accepted the award for the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer’s IBMA Recorded Event of the Year Award for the song, “Life Goes On.” The song is the title track from the album that benefits St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis. Lonesome River Band was honored with the IBMA Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year Award for their song “Angeline the Baker” from their album, Chronology, Vol One. The band is led by Sammy Shelor who won his fifth IBMA Banjo Performer of the Year Award. Top vocalist, Russell Moore also took home his fifth IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year Award.

During the busy IBMA World of Bluegrass week, Rural Rhythm Records and BlueHighways TV hosted the “Behind the Dream” Showcase at Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville. This exciting live concert featured outstanding performances by (in order of appearance): Darrell Webb Band, Carrie Hassler, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, Marty Raybon, Audie Blaylock & Redline, and The Roys.

Josh Trivett and Peter Keiser with Moonstruck Management are proud to announce they have signed Grand Ole Opry star, Bobby Osborne for exclusive booking and management representation. Moonstruck Management is a modern music management company that focuses on the country and bluegrass music business, incorporating artist development, management, growth, and booking into one controlled business.

Bobby Osborne recorded his first hit in 1949 and received his membership in The Grand Ole Opry in 1964. There is no doubt Bobby has been one of the most influential singers and mandolin players in the history of Bluegrass and Country music. He was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2002, inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame (Lonesome Pine Fiddlers) in 2009, and has recorded two State songs – “Rocky Top (Tennessee)” and “Kentucky” (Kentucky).

What an honor it was receiving news that the legendary Bobby Osborne was interested in working with us at Moonstruck! Bobby has been one of the great legends over the last several decades in the country and bluegrass worlds. His tenor singing is one of the most recognizable voices in the history of the music. We were thrilled to accept this opportunity to work with a Grand Ole Opry member and a legend – Josh Trivett.

He was the first person to craft a style not based on Monroe style mandolin playing. Bobby’s mandolin style reflected his love of the fiddle, and electric guitar playing of Hank Garland and Grady Martin. So what we see with Bobby Osborne, is a singer and instrumentalist who always saw himself as part of the County Music business. There was no separation between the styles, Bluegrass hadn’t yet become a genre unto itself, it was all just part of Country Music – Glen Duncan from the liner notes of the Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press album Memories: Celebrating Bobby’s 60th Anniversary as a Professional Entertainer on Rural Rhythm Records.

Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press are currently on tour including performances at: July 13-14 at the High Mountain Hay Fever Bluegrass Festival in Westcliff, Colorado, 13th – 14th July; Grand Ole Opry on 20th July; Rogersville Bluegrass Festival in Rogersville, Alabama on 21st July; Rockygrass in Lyons, Colorado on 28th July and many more.

For a complete tour schedule and more information on Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, please visit bobbyosborne.com.

Rural Rhythm Records is proud to announce the release New Bluegrass and Old Heartaches by Bobby Osborne and The Rocky Top X-press. The album was produced by Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne and Boj (Bobby Osborne, Jr.) and contains new and old songs that will surely delight Bobby’s fans worldwide and celebrate his impressive 60 year career.

Highlights from New Bluegrass and Old Heartaches include the first single release, I’m Going Back To The Mountain written by Jake Landers who also penned The Old Oak Tree. A newly recorded Muddy Waters written Phil Rosenthal is certainly another stand out track as well. The song was originally intended for release on the Osborne Brothers last Decca Records album in the early 70’s, but never released. Other highlights include a wonderful rediscovered song Bobby wrote many years ago titled The Last Bridge You’ll Ever Burn plus a newly written anthem type song titled Born In Kentucky.

Tracks List:

I’m Going Back To The Mountain

One More Time

Heartache Looking For a Home

Muddy Waters

I Wrecked My Life For you

The Old Oak Tree

The Last Bridge You’ll Ever Burn

Why Don’t You Turn Me Loose

Low and Lonely

Born In Kentucky

Bobby Osborne has been one of the most influential singers and mandolin players in the history of Bluegrass and Country music. He is an American Music Legend. From his first recorded hit in 1949, to his membership in The Grand Ole Opry in 1964, to Rocky Top in 1967 . He was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2002, inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame (Lonesome Pine Fiddlers) in 2009, and has recorded two State songs – “Rocky Top (Tennessee)” and “Kentucky” (Kentucky).

Bobby Osborne and The Rocky Top X-Press have a previous album on the Rural Rhythm Records label titled Memories: Celebrating Bobby’s 60th Anniversary as a Professional Entertainer. The album certainly showcases Bobby’s one-of-a-kind lead vocals and that familiar sound of the legendary Osborne trio.

What a fitting tribute to Bobby Osborne’s 60th anniversary as a professional entertainer. In 1949, an 18-yr-old mandolinist from Hyden, Kentucky named Bobby Osborne started his pro musical career with banjo player Larry Richardson, Charlie and Ray Cline in a group called The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. By 1953, Bobby and his banjo-playing brother, Sonny, were working with Jimmy Martin. With Red Allen singing lead, the Osborne Brothers formed their own band in 1955 and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.

“Memories” has all the trademarks of the Osborne sound. There are Bobby’s tenor and high lead vocals, as well as his straightforward and personalized mandolin breaks based largely on single-line melodies, a styling he adopted after playing electric guitar and fiddle at an early age. As with other recent albums, Bobby continues to offer both new material with songs that have been around for decades. The latter include hits like Rocky Top, Ruby, Mountain Fever and With A Pain In My Heart. I’m surprised they didn’t also include “Kentucky,” the other state song recorded and made famous by The Osborne Brothers. Besides the typical bluegrass instruments, we also occasionally hear piano, keyboards, steel guitar, and even the fretless Japanese shamisen (courtesy of Takeharu Kunimoto) bending its strings on one track, “Up This Hill and Down.”

While a CD jacket photo is included, the liner notes don’t clearly identify who Bobby’s “Rocky Top X-Press” band is, but credited musicians include Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne Jr., Mike Toppins, Tim Graves, along with 1-2 tracks apiece featuring Patty Loveless, Russell Moore, David Grisman, Ronnie McCoury, Sammy Shelor, Audie Blaylock and David Harvey. It was apparently an oversight to not credit anyone for the prevalent drum tracks throughout the project, as well as bassman Daryl Moseley who is identified on Bobby’s website as a member of Rocky Top X-Press (since Dec 2001) and is also credited on this CD for writing “I’ve Seen It All.” Some research indicates that the drums were played by Harry Stinson. A highlight of the CD is Bobby’s duet with Patty Loveless on the title cut. With no plans to retire, Bobby Osborne continues to cultivate his polished grassified country music. With sixty years of entertaining under his belt, his reputation and legacy only continue to grow.

Rural Rhythm Records has announced the release of Bobby Osborne’s new album, Memories: Celebrating Bobby’s 60th Anniversary as a Professional Entertainer.

This new album was produced by Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne and Bobby Osborne, Jr. and contains many golden classics and some new original songs written especially for this celebratory project.

The album project has brought together a variety of special guests to celebrate this 60 year recording milestone with Bobby’s band The Rocky Top X-Press. These special guests include fellow Grand Ole Opry star Patty Loveless, David Grisman, Russell Moore, Ronnie McCoury, Sammy Shelor, Audie Blaylock and David Harvey.

Another very rare performance by a special guest on the album is the popular Japanese actor, storyteller, narrator of children’s movies, and accomplished bluegrass musician on both mandolin and shamisen*, Takeharu Kunimoto who performs on Up This Hill and Down.

* Shamisen or samisen is a three-stringed traditional Japanese musical instrument played with a plectrum.

Rural Rhythm Records has announced the new radio single release, Bring Back Yesterday by Grand Ole Opry performer, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press. The song is from the upcoming November album release, Memories: Celebrating Bobby’s 60th Anniversary as a Professional Entertainer that showcases Bobby’s one-of-a-kind lead vocals and that familiar sound of the legendary Osborne trio.

Bring Back Yesterday is now available to radio via AirplayDirect.com and on the label’s Fresh Cuts & Key Tracks radio CD. It was also included on the Rural Rhythm 2010 IBMA Sampler CD provided to attendees of the 2010 International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass earlier this month.

The label will soon be announcing the exciting details and special guests that appear on this historic new album.

Some of the greatest artists in Bluegrass History gather for an incredible reunion. The Grassroots to Bluegrass Collection from Country’s Family Reunion.
Featuring 27 legends of bluegrass in some 50 performances from artists suchÂ asÂ J.D Crowe, Jimmy Shumate, Melvin Goins, John Hartford, Jeanette Carter, Charlie Louvin, The Osborne Brothers, and many more telling stories and singing songs about the history of Bluegrass music on 8 DVD’s or VHS tapes.